PC Black Ops Mod Tools Due in May

PC players of Call of Duty: Black Ops have been waiting for the release of mod tools since the game's launch, and Treyarch has finally announced a due date for the kit. Technology Director Cesar Stastny confirmed via Twitter that the tools should launch sometime in May.

Initially, the mods could not be released until after the game was finished, as they involved a "non-trivial" amount of work according to a developer. Speaking late last year, the developer said, "There are some purely technical issues related to engine and internal tool enhancements that do not easily fit the modtools paradigm. We have looked at it close enough to see that it is non-trivial and we will have to pick it up again post-launch. Right now we are completely focused on finishing the game."

The mods will provide access to a developer console and other technical areas of the game. Many users are hoping for a level editor to combat the almost certain onslaught of map packs that will be released before the next CoD title drops. Two have been confirmed already, with the first priced at $15, so downloadable custom maps would be a welcome addition.

This is the first time mods have been in a Call of Duty game since World at War in 2008. One entry in the series in particular, Modern Warfare 2, was neglected on the PC, as Infinity Ward opted against both mod tools and dedicated servers. The decision caused quite a stir with the community. Treyarch is clearly determined to avoid a repeat performance.